The Basilica di Santa Cecilia in Trastevere is a unique baroque church dedicated to the young Christian martyr from the 3rd century. Tradition holds that the first church at the site was the young saint’s home, consecrated by Pope Urban I shortly after her execution. In the 9th century, the basilica was constructed by Pope Paschal I, who had a vision of Saint Cecilia. In his vision, she appeared to him and guided him to the exact location of her remains in the catacombs of Saint Callixtus. Pope Paschal I decided to move her remains to the new church to honor his vision. Since then, the basilica has undergone various renovations and expansions that have led to the cultural monument present today. Moreover, archaeological excavations over the years have revealed the remains of Cecilia’s house and portions of the original baptistery under the current church and are open to the public as well.

Several works of art have been commissioned for the church or repurposed from the original church including an ancient Roman cantharus used in the courtyard. Inside, the apse is decorated with a 9th-century mosaic depicting Christ the Redeemer with saints Paul, Cecilia, Peter, Valerian, and Agatha. They appear together with Pope Paschal I and a model of the church. A ciborium made of white and black marble, created by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1293, stands sheltering the altar, while the famous white marble sculpture of Saint Cecilia lies underneath the altar in a glass case. Stefano Maderno sculpted the saint in the same way she was found in her tomb.